50th Anniversary of US-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA)
October-16 – 18, 2024
25th Washington Seminar on U.S.-China Relations
Fifty Years of Friendship: Building on that Foundation 1974-2024
Wednesday, October 16 6:30 – 8:30 Welcome reception at hotel
Thursday, October 17 Visits to various D.C. sites by bus, including the Chinese American Museum and evening reception at the Chinese Embassy
Friday, October 18 Program of China experts, recognition of “pioneers” of USCPFA and special guests; 50th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon and optional Chinese Dinner ($40) - Read the Seminar Event Details Here
In the current US China Review that went out to all members is a very nice letter from President Diana Greer talking about the upcoming USCPFA 50th Anniversary Celebration in Washington DC. You can read it here.
In that same issue is an article about the Role that USCPFA played in the U.S. Recognition of the Peoples Republic of China going back to 1972. In that article is also images of some of the people from 2015 to 2024 called the Faces of Friendship. You can read that story here.
Three other stories are available to read; Frank Pestana talks about the Beginnings of USCPFA; Bernie Lusher talks about Getting Organized and diplomacy, and Karen Shaw Kerpen "Roots of Friendship" that begins with Ping Pong Diplomacy. Read Karen's Story Here.
People to People Across the Pacific: Sharing Common Interests
US-China Peoples Friendship Association – 29th National Convention
October 20-21 (Friday-Saturday), 2023 – 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm (Eastern Time)
This Convention, hosted by the USCPFA Southern Region,was held virtually. Speakers from all over the U.S. addressed issues of environment, education, rural needs and resources, and interpersonal relationships - in real-time, allowing for Q&A.
You can see the Updated Convention Program here . (Be sure to check out the documentary film Far East, Deep South, described in the online resources. See the YouTube Trailer here)
An excellent conference was held virtually this year and below are some of the speakers and topics ranging from Pearl S. Buck, to Nixon in China, to Climate Change, to the economy and what is next for all of us. Here are some Images is from the Seminar.
You can read more about this conference in the US China Review, Winter 2023.
News of the convention appear in the Winter 2022 issue of US-China Review available now.
28th National USCPFA Convention a Virtual Success
By Mike Revzin
The USCPFA National Convention was virtual, but the interest generated by the wide variety of speakers and videos was real.
More than 80 people registered for the convention, held November 5–7. The theme was Roots of Friendship—Finding Common Ground.
In her welcome speech, USCPFA President Diana Greer emphasized “the importance of USCPFA in the modern world that seems to place so much emphasis on negativism and conflict.”
Ambassador’s Message
A message sent from Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang said that China-U.S. relations are rooted in people-to-people exchanges, and that the USCPFA was one of the first groups to be involved in those activities.
Referring to ping-pong diplomacy, he said that China-U.S. relations have kept moving forward since then, have made historical achievements and have brought tangible benefits to people in both countries.
“History has proved that both sides gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation,” the ambassador added. “The legacy of ping-pong diplomacy lies in the fact that, regardless of ideological differences, we can and must find common ground and advance our mutual interests.”
CPAFFC President’s Message
President Lin Songtian of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) sent a videotaped message saying that USCPFA was a pioneer in promoting understanding and friendship.
He said that it is natural for China and the U.S. to have some disagreements, due to their different systems, but that the two major economies need each other. He mentioned the tremendous increase in trade since the relationship began, and said there are “a thousand reasons to make it work.”
Koji Ariyoshi Award
Judy Manton, Northern New Jersey chapter.
Judy Manton has taught in China many times with the Zigen Fund’s English teachers training program, which she founded in 2004.
In 2019 the program trained 80 village primary English teachers. In New Jersey she serves as a bridge between American life and Chinese immigrants.
Much more is available from the current Winter 2022 issue of the US China Review, contact a chapter or region in your area!
Images from the 2019 USCPFA National Convention in Minnesota!
Below you will see some images of the places and people we saw there.
USCPFA project 40 Videos for 40 Years, 1979–2019
Because of the important anniversary year of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China USCPFA is sponsoring the project 40 Videos for 40 Years, 1979–2019. The videos, by USCPFA members and others, share the friendship stories between U.S. and Chinese friends over four decades. These are amazing friendship stories that you will love to hear—about how we started as an organization, and what we have done in the many years since then.
Many of these stories have been printed in the US-China Review. A link to access the videos has been sent to each chapter; ask your chapter president for the link if you want to hear more.
The 23rd Washington Seminar on U.S.-China Relations Was a Terrific Event.
From Diana Greer, President of USCPFA in the Summer USCR Issue: Thank you everyone who planned and participated in the 2018 USCPFA Washington Seminar. The seminar committee received many exclamations of enthusiasm and appreciation from participants. I thank co-chair Dr. Christine Brooks, Christine Aylward, registrar, and Dr. Woon Chow and the USCPFA Board of Directors for their participation and support of this seminar—and thanks to all of you who came from far and near to take part in this biennial event of friendship and learning. Words cannot adequately express our joy at seeing Mr. Xie Yuan, Zhang Heqiang, Ba Cuicui, and Wang Yang from Beijing Youxie who traveled so far to make this event a successful one. A tour of the magnificent art in the Chancery Building segued into a beautiful reception at the Chinese Embassy, hosted by Minister Xu Xueyuan, in honor of USCPFA. The beauty of the occasion and thefriendship speeches and conversations between and among friends uplifted our spirits. Chinese diplomats and Youxie spoke so highly of USCPFA and members and our many years together. Our stories of endearment were shared with each other and made us so proud. Thank you, dear friends! Thanks also to Woon Chow, USCPFA Treasurer for these photos. Go to the Washington-Seminar2018
Dr. Paul B. Trescott passed away on February 8, 2018 at the age of 92 in Carbondale, Illinois. He will be remembered as this kind, affable, warm, and intelligent person surrounded by many friends whom he loved and who loved and respected him.
Author, professor, and researcher, Bart would meticulously go after the facts and eventually put together his long-time goal of telling the story of our organization, his all-consuming effort towards the last five years of his life. Kitty would be right there by his side, assisting in any way she could and doing what he needed to be done.
We remember his speeches and his discussions on From Frenzy to Friendship... and his book signing two years ago. We remember reading the chapters and sections he would send out to board members and friends.
He had so much to say and we wondered how and if he could complete such an arduous work in the time that was left. But he stuck to it and he showed great tenacity and devotion to his topic and the beloved organization that he was so much a part of for decades.
We pay tribute to Dr. Trescott as USCPFA's "official historian" because he loved interviewing the people who were passionate about U.S.-China friendship and reporting their stories. We were so fortunate to have him and he will be missed. We cherish his memory and we wish we could go out and do something equally as consequential as the books he has written and the friendships he has made. He will not be forgotten because he gave us and the world a lovingly written legacy and memories that bonded all of us in his circle together—American, Chinese, and friends from all over the world.
Diana Greer
Dr. Trescott and Ms. Diana Greer presenting From Frenzy to Friendship: The History of the US-China Peoples Friendship Association to Minister Li Kexin of the Chinese Embassy. If you would like your own copy of the book, Go to the CTAC Page.
USCPFA Events from the past:
A Moment to Remember: 30th anniversary of US-China relations
Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Shanghai Communique.
The 4th Friendship Forum Event in Nanchang China September 2010.
At the 2007 National Conference in Sarasota, FL,Barbara Harrison, USCPFA former President was awarded the 
Koji Ariyoshi Award
At the 2009 National Conference in San Francisco, CA, Marge Ketter, USCPFA Southeast Chapter member, was awarded the Koji Ariyoshi Award.
At the 2011 National Conference in Kansas City, MO, Barbara Cobb, USCPFA Nashville Chapter member, is awarded the Koji Ariyoshi Award, USCPFA's highest honor.
